Everything is better when I exercise. Mindset strategies to stay consistent.

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BONUS FREEBIE:?Your Burnout Risk Assessment - Take?this quick questionnaire ?to gauge where you are at with regards to stress and overwhelm.

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Do you like exercise? Do you have a regular workout practice that makes you feel good, energized and like you could rule the world?

Over the past 10+ years, I have gone through phases of basically not working out at all, to working out every single day. Weight lifting, running, biking, surfing, snowboarding, pilates, yoga...you name it, I have probably done it.

Every season of life is different. And so has been the shape of my body. When I went through heartbreaks and being single, I'd be the strongest and fittest physically (probably to compensate for not feeling the strongest and fittest emotionally) and when I have been in relationships, I have been finding it harder to say no to desserts and cozy nights infront of the TV.

But one question I have had a lot of time to reflect on over these years is the question:

How to stay consistent?

In many ways, I know people have looked at me as "The Consistency Queen", always going to the gym, biking outside and doing yoga which is probably also related to the fact that when I do move my body, I love to post about it on my Instagram account .

At the same time, behind the scenes so to say, I have been struggling with consistency just like many of you may struggle with it as well.

Especially as High Achievers, we have high expectations...

I don't know about you, but when I try to get back into my workout routine, it's not I'll workout 2x30 minutes this week - it's: I want to do cardio every single day... and when I am not successful, I get discouraged and yes, I give up...

Recently, I have been getting back into my exercise routine again, and it's never felt so good...and it bared the question, why did I ever stop in the first place?

>>> Mindset Strategies that help me to start again <<<

There are a few different mental strategies that help me to get over my mental block and I truly hope that one of them resonates with you today:

It’s a lifestyle

Working out and maintaining a healthy body is a lifestyle for me. My physical habits and goals are a reflection of who I am and who I want to become. Sure, I sometimes get in a rut, but above all else, I consider myself an athlete. A fit, active and healthy person - and I often ask myself the question: what would an athlete do? What decision would an athlete make today? When your habits and goals are aligned with your values, it's easier to get back on track (even when you haven't been consistent in a while).

Here is a video for you to identify your values (if you are not sure what they are):

Make the motivation meaningful enough

This is a big one. Why do you want to be healthier? Fitter? Stronger? Leaner? What is your motivation for this goal?! Is it something you feel like you *should* do vs. you actually enjoy doing it? Do you want to be healthier for your family? To be at your daughter's wedding? To lift a heavy box over your head when you are 75 years old? All of these are much stronger and deeper reasons to find motivation to stay strong. So take the time to reflect on this question. You know it's the right one if it helps you to get off the couch and into your workout clothes in only a few minutes.

Is your goal SMART?

I know, I know - you have heard about SMART goals before and you know they stand for S-pecific, M-easurable, A-ctionable, R-ealistic and T-imely; but have you ever honestly asked yourself if your goals are really SMART, like really really?! If you think: "I want to be healthier this year" - that's nice, but that's NOT a SMART goal by any means. So make sure to 1. write down your goals and 2. make them SMART. When it comes to the "R" - realistic - that's where I see most of my clients struggle. Com'on High Achievers, going from 0 workouts to 7 in a week is unfortunately not realistic as you are going back into a workout routine!

This video sums it up:

Celebrate the little wins 1 > 0.

This is probably the mindset strategy that has helped me the absolute most over the past few years. It has taken me away from, I need to be perfect every single day, every single week, every single month of the year to every time I move my body it's a huge win. Huge. Because I have come to realize that even if I eat healthy half the year and move my body and not the other half, it’s still way better than always eating bad and never moving my body. Even a 1% improvement is better than nothing. Like even one run per week is better than no run, wouldn’t you agree? 52 runs vs. 0 runs per year!?Would you consider this person to be successful? I would. It’s all about the journey, celebrating small victories and seeing the bigger picture. It took that mindset shift for me to find a new set of expectations and the consistency that I had always longed for.

You can always start again

Let's be honest: life is not always easy and every phase of life bears different habits, routines and shapes of bodies. An illness, a new job, a baby, a new life partner - all of these experiences have an impact on you. And that's ok. Life has it’s ebbs and flows and sometimes it’s really hard to do what you know is good for you. It’s good to acknowledge that and to take care of yourself. Whatever that is in the moment. It's ok to not always be on top of your energy. It's ok to be a bit rounder. It's ok to be a bit thinner. Don't beat yourself up. Evaluate the situation and ask yourself: what can I do for myself today to feel like a better version of myself?...and sometimes the answer is go for a 30 minute walk, and sometimes the answer is take a nap and stay inside.

Mindset is everything.

Which mindset strategy helps you today to move your body again?

Thank you for taking the time to read this article all the way to the end ?? . If you. have any questions for me at all, don't hesitate to connect with me.

Your Coach, Julia

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BONUS FREEBIE:?Your Burnout Risk Assessment - Take?this quick questionnaire ?to gauge where you are at with regards to stress and overwhelm.

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Learn more about Julia's work here: >>?https://www.peakperformancemethod.com/